Teraeth

A Manol vané member of the Black Brotherhood and the Thaena's Hunter, he is a main character in the series as he journeys with Kihrin.

Physical Description
Teraeth is a Manol vané by his father and voramer by his mother, though he resembles Manol mostly. With the voramer blood it is assumed he will transition to a female at some later stage in his life, though little is known about the causes of that transition at the moment. The Manol vané blood in him which prevents aging may prevent this. It is unknown and he doesn't seem inclined to share at the moment. The blood may give him added strength though as he has the "right hook like a morgage gladiator." As he looks like a Manol, Teraeth's skin in black like dark ashes. His hair is kept long, and is matte black. It is not known how he styles it. Teraeth's eyes are a dark emerald green, described as shadowy. Overall he is seen as handsome, but in a sharp, angular way which seems characteristic of Manol."'He was different, resembling a vané who had played in too many fires. His skin was a field of dark ashes, his long hair matte black, his eyes shadowy emeralds. He possessed all the prettiness of the vané race, but was a creature of angles and sharpness. His beauty was that of the razor not of the flower.'""'He was so pretty I wanted to hit him, just so there would be something about him that wasn't so perfect.'"Throughout the series Teraeth's appearance does not change that must. He does gain a new scar about his heart, from when he preformed the Maevanos.

Prior to the Series
Not much is known about Teraeth's life before the series, but there are some critical parts which shape his actions and personality. The following does contain spoilers however.

The Name of All Things
There is one brief section in The Name of Things which occurs before the first book in the series, but his hold importance on Teraeth's relationship with Janel.

The Ruin of Kings
Teraeth is one of the three hooded Black Brotherhood members (including Khaemezra and Kalindra) who journey to Kishna-Farriga slave auction to purchase Kihrin. After outbidding Relos Var and breaking a record of 1 million ords, the are waiting to collect Kihrin when Var arrives. When Var taunts them, Teraeth reveals himself. He names Kihrin as the assessor of the star tear diamonds, and once sure they're real, demands the gaesh. When Var pushes, Teraeth pushes back, revealing his name.

"I want the young man,' Relos Var said. The vané sneered. 'Perhaps you should send courtship gifts first."

The argument is closed by Khaemezra revealing herself, and the trio free Kihrin from his chains once they have the gaesh from Dethic (Teraeth has posession of it). Teraeth questions why they're not using a gate, but once Khaemezra explains, he hands Kihrin his own robe, waits for Khaemezra to heal Kihrin and heads out. Once outside they get into a carriage and open a trap door at the bottom to a sewer access. Teraeth guides Kihrin through the sewer and out to the docks of Kishna-Farriga where they are covered in an illusion to allow them to blend in and be ignored. Teraeth takes on the swarthy Quuros. He pulls Kihrin along and onto The Misery, and begins to debate passage with Captain Juval for passage to Zherias.

Once aboard the ship and on their way, Kihrin confronts the pair in their cabin. Teraeth grows frustrated at Kihrin's questions and demands, he orders Kihrin to go ask the Captain if he has a weather witch, not realizing their puts Kihrin into a gaesh loop. When Kihrin wakes and after being told Khaemezra removed the previous commands, Kihrin reveals he was gaeshed by Juval. Kihrin and Teraeth begin to argue when Khaemezra sends him out to check on their progress.

"'We buy vané slaves to free them, not to gaesh them,' [Teraeth] retorted. 'Is that so?...do you have a couple dozen more star tears back home?' 'No, but if you'd like to keep stealing them back, we could work something out.' 'Quiet both of you.' ... I looked sideways to Khaemezra. 'He's adopted, right?' The corner of her mouth twitched. 'He has chosen to take after his father.''"

Later, up on the deck, Kihrin comes to apologize to Teraeth as he looks down at the hold. Teraeth stops him and forces him to gaze at the slaves, lecturing him on the legacy of Quur.

"''You're Quuros. This is your legacy. This is your gift to the world: ship after ship of pain, sailing the seas to sate your people's lust and cruelty and your thirst to conquer everything. Don't you dare look away from your birthright. This is what the wizard Grizzst created when he bound teh demons. This is what your Emperor Simillion brought to the world when he claimed the Crown and Scepter. This is the way of life Atrin Kandor died to save.' ... 'I can't do anything to free these people.' 'That's true if you believe if, but make no mistake-it is only true because you believe it.'"

Teraeth questions Kihrin about his time aboard the ship, and offers to kill Juval in retaliation, before listening and learning about Tyentso and explaining they are not out of danger. When Kihrin sees whales in the distance, Teraeth is at first unimpressed, but quickly comes too when he realizes their screaming and blood in the water. He stops ordering Kihrin to fetch Khaemezra when he sees Tyentso and a moment later, Captain Juval arrive. He watches as she summons Dolphins to attack the Daughter of Laaka following them. Khaemezra arrives and hints at why the kraken is there, causing Tyentso to realize it is after Kihrin. When she threatens to kill the kraken, Khaemezra stops her, as that would cause the summoner to know their location. Tyentso realizes they are dealing with Relos Var, a friend of her late husband. When she asks for help Khaemezra refuses stating it'll break the Concord (the Celestial Concord), but at the worst if the kraken kills Kihrin he can at least be returned again, versus being found by Relos Var and kept by demons for an eternity (which Kihrin finds particularly abhorrent). Teraeth then suggests they sail north through the Maw, causing Captain Juval to balk, but given reminders of the situation, he agrees.

Teraeth steers the ship north towards the Maw. When Kihrin returns to deck after free the slaves below, he finds Teraeth steering the ship into the Throat itself.

"'Teraeth balanced on the crux of the wheel, one foot against the main post, the other foot steering. He had one hand behind his back, and held the other on up in the air counting upward. He looked no more bothered by the wind or the whirlpool than a fish is bothered by water. Teraeth was getting on my nerves.''"

The kraken had latched onto the ship, catching a ride through the whirlpool. As Teraeth counts the rotations in the Throat, he tells Kihrin to sing. Kihrin begins as Teraeth escapes the Throat, blasting out full speed towards an island, revealed to be a dragon, the Old Man. Captain Juval argues with Teraeth about waking the dragon, and the two scuffle, but Teraeth kills him.

"''Stand back, Captain, or you won't live to see if we survive this.' Teraeth's voice was calm, smooth, and threatening.... I heard a scuffle, a grunting noise, the slick scrape of metal. A second later, I heard the unmistakable, unforgettable sound of blood gurgling from a ripped throat. 'Idiot,' Teraeth muttered.'"

When the dragon lands on the ship, causing a mast to fall, Teraeth tackles Kihrin out of the way, calling for his mother. The ship begins to sink as the dragon kills the kraken.

"Will singing again help?' 'Probably not. Let's just hope you put him in a good mood.' 'What happens if he's in a good mood?' 'He flies away.' 'And if he's in a bad mood?' 'He turns us all to cinders for daring to wake him from his nap.' 'I looked around. 'If he's going to destroy us, he'd better hurry. The ship's sinking.'... Teraeth dragged his eyes away from the approaching dragon and looked where The Misery was beginning to go down. 'Oh hell."

As the dragon and Khaemezra talk, Teraeth reaches out to save Tyentso from the sliding into the water. When the ship finally crashes, it is unknown how Teraeth survives, but Kihrin passes out just after seeing a second dragon.

Later, Kihrin comes to on a tropical island (Ynisthana) and slips into the back of a temple in the middle of a Black Brotherhood ritual. He sees Teraeth at the front (dressed in dark green and golds) with Khaemezra while she delivers a speech he can not understand. Teraeth prepares a cup with his own blood, and each person in the room drinks from it. When nothing happens, Teraeth offers himself, grabbing a knife. Khaemezra moves to stop him, but when he insists she allows him. Teraeth begins to dance with the drums, in what Kihrin recognizes is a Maevanos, before plunging the dagger into his own chest and dropping dead. Kihrin runs, and is caught by thriss and Kalindra. After talking and cleaning up, the two return to the celebration of the Black Brotherhood members. "If a petitioner is truly sorry, she Returns them. They are purified and made free of sin.' 'And if they're not really sorry?' 'Then they're dead.' 'What a shame. I was just starting to like Teraeth.' 'Really?' 'No, of course not. He's an ass."

While they are talking, Teraeth walks up, and steals Kihrin away after teasing Kalindra about him.

"We hold no fear of Death because we know her caress. Freed from that fear, we find joy in life and all it holds. ' 'Then why do people view the Black Brotherhood with such dread?' 'Because' Teraeth said as he walked up behind us, 'nothing is more terrifying than a man who has no fear of Death, and is happy to die to if it means killing you."

Kihrin notes Teraeth has his gaesh. The two sit by the fire (Tereath handing over Kihrin's gaesh after being prompted) and Kihrin catches Teraeth thinking about Teraeth's wife in his past life, which Teraeth says he remembers. Changing the subject Teraeth then asks Kihrin why he didn't go for Kalindra, causing Kihrin to change the subject to ask about the prophecy.

"'I crossed my arms over my chest. 'You're changing the subject.' 'Damn right.''"

Teraeth admits there are actually thousands of prophecies but most which tell of a single person, called the Hellwarrior which will conquer the Manol, end vane immortality, kill the Emperor, destroy the Empire, find Urthaenriel, and free the demons. He then explains to Kihrin, Relos Var is working for (SPOILER- this is debatable) Duke Kaen in Yor to be this person but the needed sword, Urthaenriel, is likely safely locked away in the Empire. He then makes a pass at Kihrin, which Kihrin turns down and starts to explain how it was Xaltorath but stops not wanting to have Teraeth feel he needs to fix it. Kihrin asks where Tyentso is, and heads to see her on the cliff of the beach while Teraeth remains.

Six months pass as Kihrin trains with the Black Brotherhood, and develops a relationship with Kalindra. One day he is training with Teraeth on the mountainside (where it almost grows too serious) when Kihrin sees a ship coming to the small harbor, and sees Kalindra heading towards the ship. When Kihrin tries to follow her, Teraeth tells him to let her go, that she is headed on a long term mission and that is was partly due to Khaemezra being worried Kalindra was falling for Kihrin. Kihrin accuses Teraeth of being jealous and when Kihrin tries to follow Teraeth tackles him and taunts him with a very specific description of the Jorat girl (Janel) Kihrin saw through Xaltorath. Angry and suspicious about how Teraeth knows her given he's only told two people he demands to know how Teraeth knows her.

"To hell with you! There are only two creatures in the whole world who knew about that girl: one's a demon and the other's a mimic. How am I supposed to trust you?' Teraeth looked angrier than I can ever remember seeing him. Not just angry, but hurt. He tilted his head, stared at me like he was contemplating exactly which of several hundred different options would be best used for my immediate execution. Teraeth said, 'I'm an assassin. Only a fool would trust me."

After Teraeth refuses, Teraeth storms away. While he broods Kihrin sees the teacher of swords Khaemezra promised, leave the ship and recognizes him as the owner of the tavern, the Culling Fields. Doc asks to see Khaemezra but at hearing Teraeth's name he asks several questions about Teraeth and demands he be taken to see him. Kihrin, who also has some choice words for the mother and son agree. Kihrin takes him to Teraeth where Doc orders Teraeth to fetch his mother much to Teraeth's annoyance. They argue, but Teraeth goes while Kihrin watches Doc chugs vané wine and then tries to get out of him how he knows Teraeth and why he is here. Doc reveals he is an uncle to Qoran Milligreest, and friends with Therin D'Mon and Emperor Sandus before being interrupted by Khaemezra. The two begin to have their own tense argument and dismiss both Kihrin and Teraeth.

"' 'In the meantime, I am not asking your opinion. I am giving you an order.' 'You don't order me around!' 'I just did.' 'She's killed people for such insolence,' Teraeth snapped. 'Yet here I am,' Doc said with a cold smile. 'Do you have any idea-?' 'Who you are? You're Teraeth. Your father was an idiot and a fool, and the fact that you took his name instead of your mother's means you're an idiot and a fool as well.' Doc paused. 'Or did you mean who you really are? Because I know that too. Still an idiot. Still a fool.''"

Kihrin heads immediately to the Thriss village and attempts to communicated with Szzarus to find a harp, but Szzarus is not able to understand and only offers other instruments and foreign instruments. Teraeth interrupts them, asking Kihrin what he's looking for and stating he's trying to help, sending Szzarus away.

"' 'See I'm helping.' 'You're an asshole.' 'I don't believe being one disqualifies me from doing the other. Either is better than what you're doing right now, which is being a child.'"

Kihrin continues to refuse his help and voices his frustration at Teraeth, Khaemezra, and Doc. When he states Tyentso seems to be the only one he can trust, Teraeth admits he met the Jorat girl in the Afterlife during the Maevanos. Kihrin fears she's dead, but Teraeth states she could be like him and visiting. Kihrin questions if she is a demon, but Teraeth counters Gods can also walk the Afterlife, which Kihrin denies she is. Kihrin questions how Teraeth knew she was important, and while he states it could be due to destiny and souls being connected across reincarnations, he admits Kalindra told him as Kihrin talks in his sleep.

Teraeth then discusses how his mother is very military like with people and information, and to trust her and accept Doc's help. This causes Kihrin to question Teraeth's father, which Teraeth at first refuses to discuss, but pushed by Kihrin to reveal it because they're friends, Teraeth agrees. He tells Kihrin that usually the first part of a vane's name is their family name from their mother (ex: Khae-), but upon learning who his father is Teraeth took his father's (Ter-) to remind him of his father's sins. He then asks Kihrin who is the most famous vane with that name, prompting Kihrin to think of Terindel the Black, who was rumored to be demanding human sacrifices in Kirpis (which was a rumor created by Emperor Kandor ). He then asks Kihrin about which instrument he was searching for, and Kihrin reveals a harp. Teraeth states that it might be possible to get one by using a gate (similar to the ones used in Quur but older) to Zherias. Kihrin, who did not know this is angered, but Teraeth admits the Old Man would just follow him. Kihrin leaves to find a harp, refusing to answer Teraeth as to why he wants one.

"'My mouth dried. 'Someone should do something about him.' 'If you'd like to step up to the job, be my guest.'"

Kihrin goes down to the shore to meet with the Old Man, who after talking to him, puts him in his thrall. Kihrin wakes up to Teraeth touching his shoulder, and finds he has been playing all night, evidenced by bloody fingers. The Old Man commands him play and Kihrin continues. Teraeth states he'll leave to get his mother, but the dragon raises a wall of molten glass to block his route. He commands Kihrin play and Kihrin says this was not their deal, causing the dragon to anger and state he would never make deals with ants. The dragon then lunges for Teraeth, who falls to the side, but the dragon seems to eat something and flies away (SPOILER: This is caused by Doc). The wall crumbles revealing Doc, who checks on Teraeth (who has an injured arm) and sends him off to be healed. Doc then orders Kihrin to join him and train.

"' 'Badly (injured) if we didn't have healers on the island who could cure worse.' 'Then you should go see them.' Teraeth started to protest. He looked at me, back to Doc, and then did something I never imagined Teraeth doing in a thousand years: he behaved. 'As you say.' He withdrew.'"

(While Kihrin is 'training' with Doc, it is confirmed that Doc is Teraeth's father, who was Terindel, a Kirpis vané but has been soul swapped into a Manol vané body.)

Teraeth is absent much of the next parts of the tale (being healed?), but shows as Kihrin, Khaemezra (revealed to be Thaena), and Tyentso return. He was excited with the rest, and leave Kihrin and Khaemezra in the room. Kihrin joins Teraeth, Tyentso, and Doc as the drink and talk in celebration of Tyentso's Return. Later, after a wild night of drinking but with everyone waking up in their own cloths, Kihrin remembers Gadrith while with Teraeth, Tyentso, and Doc. As Doc brings in breakfast and the group begin to eat, they discuss Gadrith and Kihrin remembers the night before, especially Teraeth discussing the brilliance of Emperor Kandor's military strategy in Jorat.

"''Note to self: don't mix vané wine and rum' 'Note to self: don't mix vané wine and life.' Teraeth stood, slowly and with a care suggesting he too was having trouble with his balance.'"

The Tyentso informs everyone that Gadrith is indeed still alive, and Kihrin fills the group in about Dead Man, and his desire for the Stone of Shackles. At accusations of incest Tyentso explains her marriage to Gadrith was a trade of revenges, wherein her ghost desired revenge on Gadrith. In attempting to get close enough to kill him, Cedric orders Tyentso to marry him and she was unable to refuse. She then informs them that his witch gift is to rip apart someone's upper soul from their lower soul, and is likely how he lived forever, by feeding off the lower souls of others. Kihrin believes that is why Gadrith is after the soul switching Stone of Shackles, for a new body, but Teraeth counters that was not possible. In his supporting explanation Doc reveals that Queen Khaeriel was soul switched into Lady Miya, her killer, which shocks Kihrin. Teraeth reveals that the Stone does not transfer magical skill, causing Doc to taunt him with who he was in his past life.

" 'Teraeth set his elbows on the table, cup in hand. 'She would have been extremely vulnerable just after the transfer. Magic is physical as much as spiritual. A new body means you have to learn spells all over again.'  Doc gave him a nasty grin. 'You would know.' Teraeth stared at him with narrowed eyes. 'That's good, coming from you.' 'I get why Doc has experience with this,' I said, 'but why do you, Teraeth? You've never owned the Stone of Shackles, have you?'  Teraeth didn't answer. 'Ask him who he was in his last life,' Doc said cheerfully. 'Go on. Ask him.''"

Tyentso interrupts before it is revealed and Kihrin continues to question that his mother is/was the vane Queen. The group ponder what to do next, and Teraeth reveals they don't have to do anything as Darzin and Gadrith had already tried to summon Xaltorath, but the demon was unable to get close to the island. Bemoaning being trapped, Kihrin realizes Teraeth is baiting him, and so questions what Gadrith really desires. Tyentso is the first to realize that Gadrith wants to fulfill the prophecies that foretell the destruction the of the Capital, likely by way of a Hellmarch and a new Emperor. Kihrin then suggests they bait Gadrith out into the open for the Emperor to take care of. When the problem of the Old Man is brought up, Kihrin reveals he has a plan.

"'I hated that people were going to die to feed Gadrith's hunger, and I hated Teraeth's insistence that none of this was my problem. ...wait. I looked up and realized Teraeth was staring at me, had been staring at me for some time now, his face an unfathomable mask. Or not so unfathomable. I was starting to know his quirky little moods. When he was pressing a point just to see if I would press back. How often he supported a position not because it was what he believed, but just to see if I could defend mine. 'What does Gadrith want?' I asked out loud. ... Teraeth smiled to himself and looked away.'"

Two years later Kihrin tricks the Old Man into anger, and the volcano of Yntisthana began to erupt. As Kihrin ran, in a series of illusions, Teraeth appears to tackle Kihrin and accidentally shoving him into a lava filled crevice, and the illusionary Teraeth (with Kihrin's soul) runs into a cloud of ash, likely to his death. The real Kihrin and Teraeth lay hidden, and as the Old Man is distracting with attempting to save the illusionary Teraeth they aim to make their escape to the Temple of Ynis. Tyentso joins them, but the pair are threatened by the still erupting volcano. However, working together, with Kihrin using his musical spell, they make open a chasm to divert the ash flow, and escape to the temple.

The group prepare to leave for the Capital from a harbor in Zherais where the brotherhood relocated before the eruption. Kihrin is confronted by Teraeth, who questions why Kihrin feels the need to do this when the Empire is filled with men such as Darzin and Gadrith.

"'He leaned closer, resting his elbows on his knees. 'Your problem isn't that you're stupid. You're not stupid. But you think that evil is like the Old Man, like Relos Var, like that think sleeping in the middle of Kharas Golgoth. You think evil is something you can just slay.' I scoffed. 'Should I point out that none of those are 'something I can just slay'?' 'Oh, but you would try, wouldn't you? Except real evil isn't a demon or a rogue wizard. Real evil is an empire like Quur, a society that feeds on its poor and its oppressed like a mother eating her own children. Demons and monsters are obvious; we'll always band together to fight them off. But real evil, insidious evil, is what lets us just walk away from another person's pain and say, well, that's none of my business.''"

Teraeth offers that someone else could handle the issue, but Kihrin refuses to leave Thurvishar, Talea, Galen, or his family. When Teraeth questions why Thurvishar, Kihrin hypothesizes that Thurvishar is gaeshed by Gadrith. When pushed he then says he is going back to save them because he can, causing Teraeth to laugh. Kihrin almost walks off, but explains that it is what Kihrin had said when he volunteered to be returned. Teraeth reveals that Kihrin in the Afterlife had never said a word before volunteering, and then when he did, Teraeth's past wife volunteered as well, causing Teraeth to volunteer. Tyentso interrupts them, and calls them to the prepared ship.

"''So why am I doing this? Because I can. ' Teraeth blinked at my vehemence, and then began to laugh. ... 'Did Khaemezra or Doc ever tell you who I used to be? In my past life?' ... ' I started to remember right around puberty. All of it. Not just my last past life either. I also remember being in the Land of Peace.' Teraeth gave me a sideways glance. 'It's nice.' ... 'So naturally I remember when the Eight Immortals showed up and asked for volunteers: four souls willing to help fulfill the prophecies. But there was a price. They had to be willing to leave paradise, to be reborn to all the pain, hardship, and suffering of the living world. And do you know who the first volunteer was? Without a second's hesitation?' 'You?' He chuckled. 'No. You.' ... 'One of them asked you why you wanted to go back and you said-' He gestured towards me, inviting me to finish the sentence. My throat tried to close on me, but I still managed the words. 'Because I can.' 'Because you can. And that was the moment I knew-' He stopped himself. 'Yeah? Knew what?' He didn't answer for a long beat. The silence started to loom when he finally spoke. 'Knew I could let you get one up on me, obviously,' Teraeth said, looking away. 'You were going to make me look bad....Plus, my wife raised her hand as soon as she saw you do it, and there was no way I leaving the two of you alone with each other for an entire lifetime.''"

They board a ship heading for the Capital, once arrived they are inspected before being allowed to enter. Customs agents inspect the passengers, and Kihrin, dressed as a witchhunter (with documents taken from a real one who was actually a brotherhood member), was given clearance and enters a black coach with Teraeth. Tyentso also entered a coach and was to head to the Culling Fields tavern to keep watch. Kihrin changes as they ride and exits to meet Jarith while Teraeth goes on to meet up with Tyentso. Once there Teraeth flirts with Tauna.

"'I knew Teraeth had a weakness for Khorveshan women, but I couldn't help but wonder if Teraeth knew he was hitting on his adopted sister.'"

Tyentso monitoring heat signatures with glasses of water, and the Emperor, who suggests instead of travelling with Kihrin they use the intaglio carved ruby rings which allow the Emperor to communicate with others across vast distances. Kihrin takes the ring, but promises he and the Emperor need to discuss them when this is over. Kihrin then journeys to the Blue Palace, with Teraeth stalking him. Lady Miya runs and hugs him, while Therin greets him and invites him to his office but they're interrupted by Darzin. Kihrin and Darzin exchange heated reunion before they draw swords to fight, stopped by Lady Miya due to her gaesh. Darzin is prepared to continue, but Therin ends it. Darzin moves to leave, and Kihrin attempts to stall him taunting him with Kihrin's real parentage and Gadrith. Darzin almost takes the bait, then runs. Teraeth watches from the shadows and follows Darzin as he runs off.

Teraeth chases Darzin to a deadend corridor, which he recognizes as a hidden gate. He uses the ring to call the Emperor, and the two of them open it and enter. They must have entered Shadrag Gor before Kihrin and Thurvishar, and left having found nothing. (This is presumably why Tyentso's unable to contact the Emperor for a time when she notices necromancy at the Blue Palace, or this could be due to interference from Gadrith) When Tyentso encounters Talon in the form of Therin, Teraeth reappears.

"'Tyentso grinned and cocked her head to the side, looking past Therin. 'Where have you been?' Teraeth stepped down into the court. Like Therin, he looked like he'd fought his way to the front. 'On the other side of the continent, apparently. I'll take it from here.''"

Talon teases Teraeth with Kihrin's death, prompting him to attack.

"''Forgetting someone?' Teraeth pulled several daggers from his belt. Talon turned back around. 'Oh yes, Kihrin's pretty little killer. Too bad you didn't have more time with him. You might have won him over.' Teraeth's expression went flat.'"

They battle, Talon with her many forms, and Teraeth with his illusions and knives. The fight goes through several rounds before Teraeth tricks her once more, and impales her upon a stake which locks her still. He begins to taunt her about her failure, but stops when he sees the star tear diamond necklace, grabs it and races after Tyentso. He joins what remains of the D'Mon family as the move to find Kihrin. They find his body in the underground chamber, which haunts Teraeth. He and Tyentso reveal the gaesh, and the possibility he could be Returned with it.

"'Therin shook his head and snapped out of his stupor. 'He was sacraficed to a demon. You can't resurrect someone without their souls.' Teraeth looked ready to slit throats. 'He was gaeshed while he was a slave.' He pointed to the necklace in Tyentso's hand. 'That contains his gaesh.' 'He was what-?' Miya stiffened. 'What?' 'Gaeshed. You should be famaliar with the idea,' Teraeth snapped at her. 'Haven't lost your touch for diplimacy, I see,' Tyentso muttered.'"

They carry Kihrin to the Catheral of Thaena in the temple district, where they petition a priest to Return him. They wait, and Tyentso grows anxious to leave and fight the demons. Teraeth remains hesitant, admitting even he can not take on a demon prince. When High General Qoran Milligreest brings in the body of Jarith, killed by a demon, Tyentso asks for a moment alone (eventually leaving to fight Gadrith), and Teraeth stands aside with Lady Miya. Later, Kihrin finally Returns, and Teraeth is there to help him and catch him up.

"'Teraeth bend down next to him. 'Took you long enough. What did you do, stop and pick flowers?' Kihrin glared at him. 'Some of us haven't died before, thank you very much.''"

Teraeth explains that everyone has left to various tasks, Therin, Lady Miya, and General Qoran to fight Xaltorath, Galen to aid the D'Mons, and Tyentso to fight Gadrith.

"'Kihrin blinked. 'Damn it, we had a plan.' 'Which worked beautifully right up until the point where it didn't.' Teraeth sighed.'"

Kihrin is in a hurry to assist Tyentso, and her massive task does cause Teraeth to look concerned, but he cautions Kihrin to rest first as he is no condition to be of help. Kihrin agrees, resting on the steps of the Cathedral, but both are up when they see magic duel occurring at the Culling Fields. As Kihrin confronts Darzin, Teraeth attempts to sneak behind Thurvishar for a kill, but is caught by the wizard and tossed back against a tree, who's roots trap him. Kihrin confronts Thurvishar, that he is gaeshed and older due to Shadrag Gor. Gadrith appears and they discuss Tyentso's death. Thurvishar asks if Gadrith wishes for him to 'take care' of these two, to which Gadrith consents (allowing space for Thurvishar to not kill Kihrin and Teraeth). Kihrin realizes then that Gadrith's end goal is robbery. As he leaves Gadrith changes Thurvishar's orders to kill Kihrin and Teraeth dead. Thurvishar stalls as much as the command will allow, and expresses to Kihrin his regret when Kihrin tells him he has a choice. As Thurvishar moves to create a spell to kill Kihrin, Kihrin picks up a rusted sword. The spell Thurvishar throws is deflected and the sword turns brilliant and beautiful, singing to Kihrin.

Thurvishar calls Gadrith back as he begins to enter a gaesh pain as he can not kill Kihrin while Kihrin holds the sword. Gadrith sees the sword and is outraged. Gadrith roars in anger but Kihrin blocks his spells. He steps up and drives the sword through the Stone of Shackles and Gadrith, destroying the Stone and killing Gadrith without switching his soul. A blast blows everyone out of the Arena as it resets for the choosing of a new Emperor.

Kihrin runs to Thurvishar but is shocked to see the gaesh pain gone, and halfway apologizes for killing Thurvishar's father. Kihrin then moves to help an unconscious Teraeth, but as he holds the sword (Urthaenriel) he can't cast the magic to awaken him, so Thruvishar does so. Thurvishar then states that Kihrin must leave immediately, for Kihrin had killed the Emperor, and the Stone of Shackles was destroyed releasing the demons from their bonds. Thurvishar offers that he or Teraeth take the sword and none of them will reveal how the Emperor died. However when Teraeth moves to take Urthaenriel, Kihrin levels the sword at him, tearing up but unable to stop himself. Teraeth backs away remembering the song of the sword.

"''Give the swrod to Teraeth,' Thurvishar said. 'Or to me. We'll hand it over to Milligreest so he may place it in a vault, to wait on the choosing of the next Emperor.'... 'I like the way you think,' Teraeth said with an approving note to his voice. He moved a hand toward Kihrin's sword arm. 'Yes, give me-' And paused, as Teraeth found the silver straight blade placed against his throat with all the neat precision of a shaving razor. 'I can't,' Kihrin said. His throat worked with no sound and his eyes were bright and wet. 'Please step back, Teraeth. You're my friend.' There was a pleading note to the request. Their eyes met. 'I remember,' Teraeth said. 'She has a beautiful voice, doesn't she? It's hard to hear anything else.' He stepped backward and let his hands fall to his sides. Kihrin lowered the sword and stood there, shuddering.'"

Kihrin then creates a plan that Teraeth will leave by ship and he will leave by land. He hands an intaglio carved ruby ring to Thurvishar from Sandus's body before as he promises not to out Thurvishar as a non-D'Lorus. It is assumed Teraeth did as was planned, and left the Capital by sea.

The Name of All Things
Coming

Personality
Coming

__INDEX__